Sizable titanium ring and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A sizable ring and method of fabricating the same is disclosed. A first version comprises a first ring member, made of a hard metal (e.g., titanium), having a protrusion at each end thereof. The protrusions engage a second ring member made of a soft precious metal. The ring may then be sized in a conventional manner by cutting through the second ring member and adding or removing precious metal. In a second version, a link member includes pins at each end which engage openings or cavities in ends of one or more additional ring members. Other versions include rings with multiple link members. The methods disclosed herein are ideal for titanium rings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a sizable ring. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a sizable titanium ring permitting the ring to be re-sized rather than requiring a wearer to have a new ring fabricated.

BACKGROUND

As the use of titanium for rings has increased, re-sizing them has become a critical issue. Heretofore, titanium rings have not been re-sized but have been replaced or remade. This is especially true in the event that the ring needs to be reduced in size. The hardness of the titanium makes conventional re-sizing methods generally useless. Therefore, titanium rings are often sold with a warranty fee including an exchange program. Under such a program, a customer drops off the ring requires re-sizing at the jewelers and the jeweler returns it to the manufacture. The manufacture then replaces the ring with a new ring or remakes a new properly-sized ring. Completing the exchange and return process can take several weeks causing customers to become frustrated and angry.

To accommodate customers many jewelers maintain a large inventory of each titanium ring they carry, including multiple sizes so that the jewelers have a suitable number of rings to serve as replacements. However, such a large ring inventory can become a financial drain on a jeweler's resources.

Thus, there continues to be a need for a sizable titanium ring which eliminates the need for the current process of replacement and/or the necessity of carrying a large inventory of rings.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a first ring member forming a partial ring having two ends, said first ring member fabricated of a hard metal; a protrusion extending from each end of the first member; and a second ring member comprising a soft metal, said second member integrally formed with said first member by means of the protrusions thereby forming a complete ring.

Sizing the ring of the first embodiment is accomplished in a conventional manner. That is, a cut is made through the second member, more soft metal is added and a heat source (e.g., torch) is used to reform the enlarged ring. To reduce the size of the ring, a portion of the soft metal is removed before reforming the ring with the torch. Such a method is ineffective with a full titanium ring because titanium is many magnitudes harder than a soft metal (e.g., gold or silver) which makes cutting through it, and re-forming it with heat, very difficult, if not impossible.

Accordingly, a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a first titanium ring member forming a partial ring having two ends with each end having an aperture therethrough; and a link having a pin at both ends thereof, said pins for engagement with said apertures at ends of the first titanium member such that said link joins said two ends to one another to form a ring. In one embodiment, the link joins the two ends near a shank of the completed ring while a portion of the ring opposite the shank retains a diamond or other gem. Alternative designs are disclosed herein.

With the second embodiment of the present invention, a ring is re-sized by changing the link. Thus, for a larger ring, a longer link is installed, and for a smaller ring, a shorter link is installed. Changing the links may take minutes as opposed to weeks for the exchange and replacement techniques used currently.

Since titanium is not a precious metal, it does not possess an inherent value like that associated with precious metal rings. Therefore, manufacturing at least some portion of the ring (e.g., the link) of gold, silver or some other precious metal creates a titanium ring having inherent value. The color of the precious metal used to fabricate the link may also create a unique color pattern serving as an identifiable feature of rings utilizing the embodiments of the present invention. For example, a black titanium ring utilizing a gold link is readily identifiable as a ring fabricated according to the embodiments of the present invention thereby creating immediate recognition for such unique rings.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a ring in the form of a band according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the ring of FIG. 1 with a precious metal portion removed;

FIG. 3 illustrates a ring holding a jewel according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a ring having one link according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the link used in the ring of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a core of the link of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates two ring members of the ring of FIG. 4 without the link in place;

FIG. 8 illustrates a ring having two links according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of a sizeable ring;

FIG. 10 illustrates the components which form the ring illustrated in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

Although titanium is used throughout this detailed description, other hard metals may benefit from the invention disclosed herein.

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 shows a ring according to a first embodiment of the present invention generally denoted by reference numeral 100. A first ring member 110 is formed of titanium or a similar type of hard metal. A second ring member 120 is formed of a soft, and ideally precious, metal, like gold or silver. FIG. 2 shows the first ring member 110 without the second ring member 120 in place. Protrusions 130 extend from each end of the first ring member 110. As shown, the protrusions 130 comprise a shaft and ball structure 140. The shaft and ball structure 140 serve to join the second ring member 120 to the first ring member 110 to form the complete or full ring. Other protrusion designs may be used to maintain the second ring member 120.

Fabricating the ring 100 comprises casting the first titanium ring member 110 and molding the second ring member 120 into the space defined by the two ends of the first ring member 110. Accordingly, a molten soft metal (e.g., gold or silver) is molded in place between the two ends of the first ring member 110 such that when it cures or dries it does so over the shaft and ball structure 140. Thus, the shaft and ball structure 140 secure the second ring member 120 in place.

To re-size the ring shown in FIG. 1, a jeweler uses a conventional method. The method comprises cutting through the second ring member 120 between the shaft and ball structure 140 at each end of the first ring member 11 0. Then, more precious metal is added to enlarge the size of the ring 100 or metal is removed to reduce the size of the ring 100. Once the metal is added or removed, a heat source, like a torch, is used to re-from the second ring member 120. Simultaneously, the first ring member 110 is manipulated slightly to account for the smaller or larger second ring member 120. However, since ring sizing usually involves small changes, the manipulation of the first ring member 110 is minor in magnitude.

FIG. 3 shows a ring 200 having a first ring member 210, second ring member 220 and gem 230, held in place with prongs 235, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Two small gems 240 are set in the second ring member 220 to define a section of the second ring member 220 where the jeweler may safely cut the second ring member 220 for re-sizing. Consequently, the jeweler can cut the second ring member 220 between the two gems 240. Cutting on the opposite side of either gem 240 could damage the shaft and ball structure 140 that maintains the second ring member 220 in place.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a ring 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a first member 310 and second member 320 which support a gem 330. Rather than prongs, ring 300 uses tension to maintain the gem 330 in place. The first member 310 extends from a first end 315 separating gradually into separate bands 325. The gem 330 is retained between ends 335 of the two prongs 325 and an end 345 of the second member 320. A link 350 joins first ends of the first member 310 and second member 320 to one another. The link 350 connects to the first member 310 and second member 320 by means of pins 355 which insert into cavities or openings 365 in the first member 310 and second member 320.

The link 350 is shown individually in FIG. 5. The shape of the link 350 creates tension such that the ring may be re-sized. The link 350 is formed of a titanium core 370 and a soft, ideally precious, metal (e.g., gold) outer layer 375. Ends of the titanium core 370 integrate pins 355 for engagement with the openings 365 in the first and second members 310, 320. The length of the link 350 enables the links to be replaced thereby enlarging or reducing the size of the ring 300. To maintain the gem 330 in place after re-sizing, the first member 310 and second member 320 may need to be manipulated such that the tension on the gem 330 remains sufficient to maintain the gem 330 in place.

Fabricating the link 350 comprises casting or otherwise forming the titanium core 370 with one or more openings 380 therethrough as shown in FIG. 6. Then, a molten precious metal (e.g., gold) is molded over the titanium core 370 such that the precious metal forms an outer layer over the core 370 and also fills the one or more openings 380 in the core 370 thereby securing the precious metal to the core 370.

FIG. 7 shows the first and second members 310, 320 with the link 350 and gem 330 removed. The openings 365 are clearly visible in FIG. 7. It is noted that the dimensions, positions, numbers and types of openings 365 and/or pins 355 may take any form. For example, rather than integrating pins 355 on the link 350, individual separate pins may be used to insert through the openings 365 in the first and second member 310, 320 and through corresponding openings through the link 350. Friction or other suitable means can secure the separate pins in place.

By making multiple first members 310, second members 320 and links 350, re-sizing and configuring rings of any size becomes an easy process. Accordingly, the time constraints associated with titanium ring re-sizing are eliminated and jewelers are able to undertake the work on site.

FIG. 8 illustrates a ring 400 having two links 410 and 420 connecting a first member 430 and second member 440 to form the ring 400. A gem 435 is held in place with prongs 445. The first and second members 430, 440 comprise parallel bars 450 fabricated of titanium. The two links 410, 420 are fabricated of a precious metal such as gold or silver. Although not visible, the links 410, 420 are held in place by one or more pins near their ends as identified by arrows A and the dotted lines. Correspondingly, to complete the ring 400 the parallel bars 450 include openings for engagement with the one or more pins. In this embodiment, to re-size the ring 400 one or both of the links 410, 420 may be cut.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a third embodiment of a sizeable ring 500. Ring 500 comprises a first section 510 in the form of a semi-circle and two second removable sections 520 attached to ends of the first section 510. Each second section 520 includes an elongated cavity 525 for receipt of an end of the first section 510. In other words, each second section 520 slips over an end of the first section 510. Friction maintains the connection between an end of the first section 510 and each second section 520. Each cavity 525 is further able to receive a plug 530 for shortening the depth of the elongated cavity 525. Accordingly, with the plug 530 in place each cavity 525 has s shorter depth minimizing the distance each second section slips over the ends of the first section 510. Thus, with the plugs 530 in place, the ring 500 has a first diameter. With the plugs 530 removed, the second sections 520 are able to slip over the ends of the first section 510 a greater distance creating a ring with a smaller diameter.

As shown in FIG. 11, a second section 540 may include a single section with elongated cavities 550 at both ends thereof. Again, plugs 530 are used to alter the depth of the cavities 550.

The ring designs herein also allow emergency personnel to remove rings, in an emergency, without having to ruin them. That is, cutting off a conventional hard metal ring will leave it permanently damaged. Using the designs disclosed herein allow the emergency personnel to cut through the soft metal portion thereby permitting the ring to be easily repaired in the traditional manners set forth herein.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

1. A sizable ring comprising: a first ring member forming a partial ring having two ends, said first ring member fabricated of a hard metal; a protrusion extending from each end of the first member; and a second ring member formed of a soft metal, said second member integrally formed with said first member by means of the protrusions thereby forming a complete ring.
 2. The ring of claim 1 wherein the first ring member is fabricated of titanium.
 3. The ring of claim 1 wherein the second ring member is fabricated of gold, platinum or silver.
 4. The ring of claim 1 wherein the protrusion comprises a shaft and ball structure.
 5. A sizable ring comprising: a first member in a shape of a partial ring wherein said member has a first and second end, said first member including protrusions near its first and second ends; and a second member that engages said protrusions to form a complete ring.
 6. The sizable ring of claim 5 wherein the first member is fabricated of titanium.
 7. The sizable ring of claim 5 wherein the link member is fabricated of a soft precious metal.
 8. The sizable ring of claim 7 wherein the link member is fabricated of gold, silver or platinum.
 9. The sizable ring of claim 5 wherein said second member is positioned near a shank of the ring.
 10. A sizable ring comprising: two first members wherein said members are semi-circular in shape, said first and second members having generally planar first ends which are generally parallel when forming a ring and one or more openings and/or cavities in their second ends; and a link member having one or more pins at each end thereof, said pins for engaging said openings in said first and second members to form a ring.
 11. The sizable ring of claim 10 wherein a gem is retained between the first ends of the first and second members.
 12. The sizable ring of claim 10 wherein said link member comprises a titanium core with an outer layer comprising a precious metal.
 13. The sizable ring of claim 12 wherein the precious metal layer is formed over the titanium core such that the precious metal forms in one or more openings of the core thereby retaining the precious metal layer in place.
 14. The sizable ring of claim 10 wherein the first and second members are fabricated of titanium.
 15. A sizable ring comprising: four semi-circular members configured such that two pairs of the semi-circular members form a portion of the ring, said members having generally planar first and second ends which are generally in parallel when forming a ring and one or more cavities and/or openings in their first and second ends; and two link members having one or more pins at each end thereof, said pins for engaging said cavities or openings in ends of said members to form a ring.
 16. The sizable ring of claim 15 wherein the four-semi circular members are titanium.
 17. The sizable ring of claim 15 wherein the link members comprise a titanium core and an outer layer fabricated of a precious metal.
 18. The sizable ring of claim 15 wherein the precious metal is gold, silver or platinum.
 19. The sizable ring of claim 18 wherein the precious metal is formed over the titanium core such that the precious metal forms in one or more openings of the core thereby retaining the precious metal in place.
 20. The sizable ring of claim 15 wherein a first link retains a gem.
 21. A method of forming a sizable ring comprising: casting a first ring member in a semi-circular form, said first member being formed with protrusions at both ends thereof; and molding a second ring member integral with the protrusions thereby creating, in combination with the first ring member, a complete ring.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising casting the first ring member of titanium.
 23. The method of claim 21 further comprising molding the second ring member of a soft precious member.
 24. The method of claim 21 further comprising positioning two gems in the ring member wherein said gems identify the position of the protrusions.
 25. A sizeable ring comprising: a first ring member in a semi-circular form, said first ring member having two ends; and a pair of second ring members for holding a gem, each second ring member having a cavity adapted to fit over the ends of the first ring member and further adapted to retain a plug therein.
 26. The sizeable ring of claim 25 wherein the plugs are used to enlarge or reduce the size of the ring.
 27. A sizeable ring comprising: a first ring member in a semi-circular form, said first ring member having two ends; and a second ring member, each said second ring member having a cavity at each end thereof wherein said cavities are adapted to fit over the ends of the first ring member and further adapted to retain a plug therein.
 28. The sizeable ring of claim 27 wherein the plugs are used to enlarge or reduce the size of the ring. 